AGS Appraisal instead of certificate?

[jtettenb]

Hi All. I went to a local dealer today to look at diamonds. He showed me a nice looking diamond that is in my price range. When I asked to see the certificate however, he told me there is no cert, but he is certified to do AGS appraisals and will do that for me instead. He told me that is just as good, and will save me ~500$. This seems a little shady to me, so I figured I would ask here. I doubt an appriasal is "just as good" but more importantly, could I come to find out years down the line that I didn't get what I paid for? I just want to make sure I am getting what he tells me it is. It seems bias that the seller is also doing the appraisal. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[heididdl]

No its not the same a lot of jewelers are GIA or AGS certified that's them that's not the certificate. It only means he took a course to learn how to properly assess the diamond. IT is in no way the same as having that diamond certified.......He might be able to appraise it with HIS certificate for insurance purposes but he isn't an unbiased party as he owns the diamond and does want to sell it. GIA is totally unbiased as it is looking at the diamond having nothing to do with a purchase of transaction

Plus FYI a one carat diamond would cost $100 to have certified at GIA (off course if they ship it ffor you they will charge you Fed exp in both directions) but if you brought it in yourself (just an example) it would be $100.

 

[Todd Gray]

Needless to say, it doesn't cost anywhere near $500 to have a diamond lab graded... AGS does have accreditation programs, so the guy is probably accredited through one of their programs and can likely provide you basic details pertaining to the diamond, such as carat weight, color, clarity, fluorescence, etc., but does he have the equipment to provide you with detailed proportions analysis? e.g. Sarin, OGI, Helium; ASET / Ideal Scope / H&A images where applicable? Given the ready availability of diamonds graded by reputable labs such as the AGS, GIA, HRD, I don't know why the jeweler wouldn't try to find you one, if only for the peace of mind that it provides.

 

[denverappraiser]

Here's GIA's fee structure:
http://www.gia.edu/gem-lab-service/diamond-grading

Prices vary by size but most are less than that. Don't forget shipping and insurance. The bigger trick is the delay. Expect something like 8-10 weeks for GIA at this point.

If this is an AGS member store, they are surely familiar with the AGS lab. They're about the same price and considerably faster.

No, an appraisal is not the same thing. You may want one of those too but it's not a substitute. Yes, there's a conflict of interest having the grading and appraising done by the same people who are selling it to you.

 

[heididdl]

Here's GIA's fee structure:
http://www.gia.edu/gem-lab-service/diamond-grading

Prices vary by size but most are less than that. Don't forget shipping and insurance. The bigger trick is the delay. Expect something like 8-10 weeks for GIA at this point.

If this is an AGS member store, they are surely familiar with the AGS lab. They're about the same price and considerably faster.

No, an appraisal is not the same thing. You may want one of those too but it's not a substitute. Yes, there's a conflict of interest having the grading and appraising done by the same people who are selling it to you.[/quote

Thank you denveappraier. Here in NY if you drop your stone and pay double $200 you can have the stone back 48 hours. If your stone is over 4 carats also comes back 24 hour. How do I know only because Friday I am suppose to drop off my 3.66 to be recertified (originally certified in 1980 needs update) and my stone will be $250.00 I am dropping and picking it up myself to save other fees . Hope this and all the other great posts help .

 

[denverappraiser]

Here's GIA's fee structure:
http://www.gia.edu/gem-lab-service/diamond-grading

Prices vary by size but most are less than that. Don't forget shipping and insurance. The bigger trick is the delay. Expect something like 8-10 weeks for GIA at this point.

If this is an AGS member store, they are surely familiar with the AGS lab. They're about the same price and considerably faster.

No, an appraisal is not the same thing. You may want one of those too but it's not a substitute. Yes, there's a conflict of interest having the grading and appraising done by the same people who are selling it to you.[/quote

Thank you denveappraier. Here in NY if you drop your stone and pay double $200 you can have the stone back 48 hours. If your stone is over 4 carats also comes back 24 hour. How do I know only because Friday I am suppose to drop off my 3.66 to be recertified (originally certified in 1980 needs update) and my stone will be $250.00 I am dropping and picking it up myself to save other fees . Hope this and all the other great posts help .

It's correct that 4 carat+ gets a rush service but I'm pretty sure they've suspended the option of rushing smaller stones until they get more caught up. 'Rush' means about a week. For people who live in NYC they have a walk in system but I don't know how it works.

 

[jtettenb]

Thanks for the advice, I will go back to him with a bit more knowledge on the subject now and see what he says.

 

[WinkHPD]

Needless to say, it doesn't cost anywhere near $500 to have a diamond lab graded... AGS does have accreditation programs, so the guy is probably accredited through one of their programs and can likely provide you basic details pertaining to the diamond, such as carat weight, color, clarity, fluorescence, etc., but does he have the equipment to provide you with detailed proportions analysis? e.g. Sarin, OGI, Helium; ASET / Ideal Scope / H&A images where applicable? Given the ready availability of diamonds graded by reputable labs such as the AGS, GIA, HRD, I don't know why the jeweler wouldn't try to find you one, if only for the peace of mind that it provides.[/quote]

Really? I bet you have a guess though, and I am guessing that your guess is NOT because he is doing the OP any favors!

I am reminded of a movie of a few years ago.

Run Forest, Run!

Wink